2. What is an Open Speeches?
• An opening speech consists of an opening flourish, a main body that
drives home one point only and a closing flourish. It is your
opportunity to inform the other delegates of your views and position
on the issues being raised and paves the way for lobbying later in the
conference.
3. 1. Why Do You Have To Write an Opening Speech?
• As the delegate/Ambassador for your country you can be asked to do an
opening speech before your assembly/committee or the General Assembly.
An opening speech, should last 1 minute. In this minute, you should address
very clearly to the audience the position of the country/organization you
represent on the primary concerns about the state of the world.
• A 1 minute speech, is normally no more than 135 words. It is recommended that your
speech be between 100 and 125 words.
5. 2. What Are The Different Parts of An Opening Speech?
• There are a few things to keep in mind when preparing for an opening speech:
• First of all, there is the beginning of the speech. It is customary to address
the President of the GA and the delegates present by starting your speech, saying
something like: “Fellow Delegates, Esteemed Delegates”
• Then go on to the main body of your speech. The main body of your speech should
address the issue on the agenda your Delegation feels most strongly about.
Some delegates think that this part of the speech should be funny and entertaining.
This is not what the speech is about at all. Keep it diplomatic and concentrate on
getting one single message across. It is standard practice to end the speech with a
flourish such as: “Thank you, Delegate.”
6. 3. How To Deliver An Opening Speech?
• When speaking your committee at MUN, you can be easily in awe of the number of people
you are facing. You will be nervous. The best way to overcome this is by practicing the
delivery of your speech in your school and having your MUN Director present, your fellow
delegates and also maybe family and friends. Ask them what they think about your speech
and adjust it if you think it needs that.
• You should open your speech with a strong sentence to gain audience attention. Also,
when delivering your speech, you must remember to speak slowly and clearly. As a rule of
thumb, you are speaking slowly enough when you think to yourself: “I am speaking too
slowly now.” Have the speech timed and see that it does not exceed the time allotted to
you. If necessary, the President will remind you that your time is almost up by saying: ‘Will
the Delegate please come to His closing remarks’. If you hear this said to you, please
act accordingly.
7. EXAMPLE OPENING SPEECHES
• Honourable chair, Esteemed delegates, it is an honour to represent Poland at this the Royal Russell 29thannual
conference. Poland wishes to tackle many significant issues through debate here. Firstly, we are greatly
concerned by the rapidly growing threat posed by climate change. Clearly, global warming is a real and present
danger and something that should not be ignored. We are also greatly troubled by the fact that basic human
rights are being violated all over the globe. Child labour, mercy killing and racial discrimination are but three
examples of the kind of inhumane acts which continue to transpire in this modern age of acceptance and
toleration. Poland is particularly concerned with the lack of democratic progress in Afghanistan, where our
troops continue to die alongside their allied comrades.
• Poland would like to see bio fuels widely introduced as an immediate solution to the problem of climate change.
Fast and critical action is clearly needed to resolve this growingly problematic matter. We would also like to
ensure that human rights are properly respected by all countries by making sure that human rights laws are more
critically enforced. We would like the 2,500 Polish troops in Afghanistan to withdraw as soon as possible and
their responsibilities handed over to local, Afghan troops.
• Poland hopes that this conference will result in critical, safe and effective resolution of many important issues.
Thank you honourable chair, esteemed delegates.
8. How to write a MUN Opening Speech
• Writing an opening speech in MUN can be a bit challenging.
• Common questions we get from delegates before going to a conference.
“What should I say in my opening speech?”
“Should I read out my Positions Paper?”
“How do I take all the research I did and fit it into a short opening speech?”
• Before you start working on your MUN opening speech, you should know the topic, done some research, and preferably
already have written a position paper.
• A MUN opening speech should cover the following:
• Problem
Establish the issue the committee should focus on solving.
• Facts/Research
Backup your views on the issue and solutions with research.
• Solution
Propose the outline of your countries solution to the issue.
9. • Committee: United Nations
• Topic: Country: Water Problem in Nepal
• Countries:
Canada Spain Australia USA UK South
Korea
Russia UAE China Finland Norway Poland
